Releasable fluid control apparatus for retrieving subsurface well devices



Aug. l0, 1965 D. v. cHENowETl-l 3,199,906

RELEASABLE FLUID CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING SUBSURFACE WELLDEVICES Filed July 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

V: /EA/OWETH BY www rro/e/veys.

vAug. 1o, 1965 D. V. CH ENOWETH RELEASABLE FLUID CONTROL APPARATUS FORRETRIEVING SUBSURFACE WELL DEVICES Filed July 5, 1965 .F200 3c C 2Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVENTOR.

DHV/0 I( CHE/v0 WE n/ BY rromveys.

United States Patent O RELEASABLE FLlUHD CNTRL APPARATUS FR REIREEVI TSSUESURFAlE WELL Dill/EEES David V. Clienoweth, Houston, Tex., assignerto Baker @il Tools, lne., Los Angeles, Quill., a corporation ofCalifornia Filed duly 5, 1%3, Ser. No. 292,918 16 Claims. (Si. 29d-$6.15)

The present invention relates to subsurface well bore apparatus, andmore particularly to apparatus useful in retrieving a device from a wellbore.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus adaptedto be coupled to a device and moved longitudinally in a well bore on arunning-in string, the Iapparatus being readily releasable from thedevice without the necessity for rotating the running-in string.

Another Vobject of the invention is to provide apparatus connectible toa running-in string for lowering and elevating a device in the wellbore, and capable of being released from the device without thenecessity for rotating the running-in string.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus connectible toa running-in string and movable into coupling relation to a device 4inthe well bore without the need for rotating, the running-in string,enabling the device to be shifted longitudinally in the wall bore, theapparatus being releasable from the device without rotation of therunning-in string. In a more limited sense, release of the apparatus.from the device is ellected by liuid pressure. More specifically, thepressure is imposed on the the iiuid in the well bore externally of therunning-in string.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus connectibleto a tubular running-in string for lowering and elevating a device inthe well bore, the apparatus being relea-sable hydraulically from thedevice, in which iiuid in the well bore is allowed to lill the tubularstring readily during lowering of the apparatus and device in the wellbore, and is also allowed to drain readily Afrom the tubular stringduring elevation of the apparatus and device in the well bore.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other object-swhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsacc-ompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope or the invention is best defined by the 'appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a longitudinal section through an apparatus embodying theinvention disposed in a Well casing, operatively connected to vanotherdevice and positioned for lowering the latter inthe well casing;

FlG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the apparatus disclosed inFIG. 1, in condition for elevating the device in the well casing;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. l illustrating theapparatus partiallyelevated relative to the device;

FIG. 4 is a view similar' to FlG. l illustrating the apparatus.uncoupled or released from the device;

FlG. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5 5 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing the movement of thelatch portion of the apparatus to a releasing position with respect tothe device.

The apparatus A illustrated in the drawings is a running-in andretrieving tool adapted to be lowered in a well casing B, or similarconduit string, dispo-sed in a ICC well bore on a tubular string C. Itis adapted to be releasably connected to another device D in the wellbore or casing, such as a retrievable bridge plug of the typeillustrated and described in U.S. Patent No. 2,998,072.

The retrievable bridge plug D includes a tubular body lll having anupper valve cage ll lsecured thereto1 there being a control rod or barl2 extending into the body for controlling the setting of the plug, thebar passing through a valve head 13 adapted to engage the upper end ofthe body lll to close its passage lll against downward llow of iluidtherethrough, suit-able seals 15, i6 being provided between the valvehead and the bridge plug body and between the valve head and the controlrod or bar to prevent leakage of iluid therebetween. A helical conpression spring i7 surrounds the control rod l2, its upper end bearingagainst the valve cage ll, which has slots or ports 13 therethrough, andits lower end engaging the valve head 13 to urge the latter downwardlyinto engagement with the bridge plug body lll. As disclosed in thedrawings, a suitable packing cup 19 is mounted on the bridge plug bodyfor sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing B.

As described in the above patent, the control rod or 'bar l2 is adaptedto occupy selected longitudinal positions within the bridge plug bodylil for the purpose of preventing anchoring of the bridge plug in thewell casing against upward or downward movement therewithin, and also topermit such anchoring. The bridge plug D is prevented from being set inthe well casing when the control rod or bar occupies a downward positionwithin the bridge plug body ill, and it also prevents the bridge plugfrom 4setting in the well casing when the control rod or bor l2 occupiesan upper position within the body. When the control rod or bar occupiesan intermediate or neutral position, Isetting of the bridge plug canoccur.

The running-in and retrieving apparatus A will either lshift the controlrod or bar l2 to its lower position in running the bridge plug D in thewell casing, to its upper position in elevating the bridge plug in thewell casing, or it can occupy a neutral position permitting setting ofthe bridge plug. It is also releasable from the bridge plug and can beelevated with respect thereto. ln fact, it can be removed completelyfrom the well casing, if desired, leaving the' bridge plug D in its setcondition within the casing.

As disclosed, the apparatus A includes an outer tubular body or housing2li having a lower body shoe 2l threadedly attached thereto, which isadapted to engage the upper end of the bridge plug body valve cage 1l.This shoe has transverse slot-s 22 extending through its lower portionto permit fluid to pass between the interior yand the exterior of thebody or housing, The upper end oi the housing or body Ztl is constitutedas a sub 23 having lan upper threaded pin 24 adapted to be threadedlysecured to the tubular string C extending to the top of the well casing,as to a coupling Z5. Mounted within the housing is a mechanically andhydraulically actuatable latch sleeve 25 adapted to engage a control rodbody structure 27 for the purpose of shitting the control rod l2 t-o itsdownward position within the plug body lll, with the shoe 2l engagingthe upper end of the 4valve cage il, and which is adapted to be coupledto the body structure 27 to elevate the control rod or bar 12 within thebridge plug body ll) `and to also elevate the bridge plug in the wellcasing B. The body structure 27 includes a lower tubular body section 23threadedly attached to the upper end of the control rod or bar l2,disconnect-ion between the lower body section and control rod beingprevented by a suitable lock or jam nut 29 threaded on the rod andtightened against the lower end of the body section. The lower bodysection 28 projects upwardly within an upper body section Sil, the twoparts being threadedly secured toaisance gether, preferably by aleft-hand threaded connection 31, which will'permit disconnectionbetween the two sections under emergency release conditions, asdescribed hereinbelow. Immediately below the upper body section 30, thelower body secti-on'has fishing threads or teeth 32, or the like, formedon its periphery Iand engage-able by a fishing tool (not shown). i

The upper body section 3() has a lower control h-ead 33 thereonpossessing an upper tapered shoulder 34 inclined in `an upward andinward direction, and a lower tapered shoulder 35 inclined in a downwardand inward direction. The upper section 30 terminates in an uppertapered guide portion 36 having a central inlet 37 surrounded by .adownwardly facing valve seat 3d adapted to be engaged by a valve element39, in the form of a ball, to close the central inlet against upwardpassage of iiuid, the ball 39 being movable downwardly away from itscompanion seat 38 to permit downward flow of liuid through the centralinlet 37 and around the ball, passing through a central body structurepassage 4) and discharging through lower lateral body ports 41 to theexterior of the body 28. 'Downward movement of the ball valve element 39within the upper body section is limited by its engagement with valvestop fingers 42 constituting the upper end of the lower body section 28.

The latch sleeve 26 is shiftable longitudinally within the outer housing20 `and along the body structure 27, being urged in a downward directionby a helical compression .spring 43, the upper end of which surrounds adepending housing skirt 44 and bears against the sub 23, the lower endof the spring bearing against the upper end of the sleeve 26. Thedownward extent of movement of the sleeve 26 within the housing Ztl islimited by engagement of `a lower shoulder 45 on the sleeve with aninwardly directed stop shoulder 46 on the housing. When such .shouldersare coengaged, a plurality of latch fin-gers or feet 47, constitutingthe lower end of the latch sleeve 26, engage a downwardly taperingholding surf-ace 4S in the housing, which will urge the lingers 47inwardly and dispose .them under the lower tapered shoulder :tv of thecontrol head 3G, thereby coupling the housing 20 to the body structure27 and the control rod or bar 12 through the .agency of the interveningngers. `These lingers constitute the lower terminal portions of aplurality of longitudinally extend-ing spring-like latch arms 49,forming the lower portion of the latch sleeve, the latch arms 49 andngers 47 resulting from circurniferentially spaced, longitudinal slotsE@ cut through the lower portion of the sleeve and extending-downwardlythrough the latch iingers 47. Y

The latch fingers 47have inwardly projecting portions 51 provided withupper surfaces S2 tapering in a downwand .direction to engage thecompanion lower tapered shoulder 3,5 on the control head 33, and alsoouter, lower surfaces 53 .tapering downwardly and inwardly forengagement with the companion holding surface 4S of the outer body orhousing 20. The fingers 47 also havelower tapered surfaces 54 bel-ow the,upper surfaces 52, which incline in `a downward and outward direction,for engagement with the upper guide, 36 and the upper tapered shoulder34 .which will shift or cam theiingers outwardly so that they can clearthe guide and control head andl be disposed below the latter. The-ingers 47 normally occupy .an inward position with a minimum internaldia-meter less than the external diameter of the control head 3,3, butthey are adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly within thclbody orhousing Ztl to a sutiicient extent as to clear the control head.

The latch sleeve 26 is hydraulically actuatable and may be deemed to bean annular piston member having upper and .lower portions 6l), 61slidable along the inner wall 62 ot the housing above its stop shoulder46. The inner surface or wall 63 ot the latch. sleeve is also slidablealong the upper valve headportion 64 of the control rod body structure27. Slidable fits are provided to avoid the nel il cessity for usingseal rings, or the like, to prevent substantial leaking between thelatch sleeve Z6 and inner wall 62 of the housing 20, and between thelatch sleeve and the upper body head 64. In effect, the latch sleeve orannular piston 26 is movable longitudinally Within an annular cylinderspace R between the inner wall 62 of the upper cylindrical portion 65 ofthe housing and the exterior ot the upper hea-d 64 whenthe latch sleeveis disposed over the control rod body structure 27.

When the latch sleeve Z6 is in its` upper position within the housing24D, a plurality of side ports 66 extending through the wall of thelatch sleeve below its upper portion 6@ is communicable with companionports 67 extending through the housing cylinder 65, so as to permitliuid passage between the exterior of the housing 26 and the interior ofthe sleeve 26, and, therefore, tothe interior of the tubular string C(FIG. l). The spring 43, under some circumstances, can shilit the latchsleeve 26 downwardly to substantially close the `housing ports 67.,.aswhen the lower sleeve shoulder 45 engages the housing stop shoulder 46,such as illustrated in FIG. 2. The liuid in the annulus E .surroundingthe tubular string C can be subjected to pressure, which nuid pressurewill pass through .the lower shoe slots 22. to the interior ot thehousing 20 and lact upwardly on the latchfsleeve 26, tending to shift itupwardly within the housing yagainst the force of the spr-ing 43, thearea over which the fluid pressure is acting in an upward direction overthe latch sleeve or annular piston el 'being the annular area Rbetweenthe periphery of the upper body head 64 and the inner wall 62 of thecylinder port-ion 65 of the, housing.

In the use of the apparatus A, it can be coupled to the bridge plugdevice D and this combination lowered in the well casing B on thetubular string C. Since the bridge plug D resists downward movementthrough the casing and must be forced therewithin, a downwardly facingtapered shoulder 70 onthe sleeve above the latch arms 49 engages theupper tapered shoulder 34 of the body structure 27, and urges thecontrol rod 12 downwardly with-in the bridge plugbody, which willprevent the bridge plug from setting, als described in UJS. Patent2,998,072 (FIG. l). -At this time, the shoe 211 of the outer housingengages the upper end of the valve cage 11, the latch sleeve compressingthe spring 43 and placing the sleeve .ponts 66 in communication with thehousing ports 67. As the apparatus A and bridge plug device D arelowered .through the iiuid in the well casing, such fluid can `passthrough the ports 67, 66 to the interior ofthe sleeve 26, ilowingupwardly through the housing suh23 into `the tubular string C. Any fluidtending 4to pass upwardly through the shoe slots 22 to the interi-or ofthe housing and through the body ports 4l into the central passage 4t)and up through the central inlet 37 into the tubular string is preventedfrom doing so by the upward engagement of the valve element 39 with litscompanion valve seat 38..

Alter the bridge plug has been lowered to its desired setting point inthe well casing, the running-in and retrieving apparatus A is releasablefrom the bridge plug. Such releasing action occurs as-a resul-tofapplying pressure to the liuid in the tubing-casing annulus E, whichfluid pressure .will pass through the lower slotsZZ and act upwardlyover the area R of the latch sleeve 26, the valve element 39 engagingits seat 38 to close the p'assagedi). The tubular string C and housing20 are elevated slowly, the fluid pressure acting upwardly on the latchsleeve or annular piston member v6l,shit`ting the sleeveV upwardlywithin .the housing, or maintaining it in an upper posi-tion with thelatch lingers orfeet 47 elevated above the holding surliace y4S on thehousing, such 'as disclosed in FIG. 3. Elevation of the housing 20continues with pressure applied to the tubing-casing annulus E, thesleeve 26 moving upwardly with the housing and its lingers 47 engagingthelower tapered .shoulder 35 of the body` head 33 and being cammedoutwardly thereby until the lingers ride past the head, such asdisclosed in FIG. 6, whereupon the fingers can inherently springlaterally inwardly t-o their initial retracted position.

The apparatus A has now been released from the bridge plug device D andcan be elevated in the well casing. When the latch sleeve rides ofi theupper body head 27, the fluid in the tubing-casing annulus E can thenpass through the valve sleeve .26 and act on the upper side of thelatter, so that there is no pressure differential acting on the sleeve,the spring 43 re-expanding and shifting the sleeve to a downwardposition in which the lingers 47 engage tr e holding surface 48 and areshifted inwardly, the downward travel of the latch sleeve being limitedby engagement of its shoulder d5 with the stop shoulder 4d of thehousing, the parts then being in the position illustrated in FIG. 4.

ln the event it is desired to retrieve the bridge plug device from thewell casing, or to elevate it within the well casing, the apparatus A islowered on the tubular string C in the well casing B, the housing shoe21 and the main portion of the housing passing downwardly over the bodystructure 27, the lower inner tapered surfaces 54 of the fingers 47engaging the upper tapered shoulder 34 of the body head, the sleevemomentarily being held stationar and the housing shifting downwardly soas to elevate the fingers relatively above the holding surface 43, theupward movement of the sleeve within the housing further compressing theupper spring 43. The fingers 47 are then disposed in the enlargeddiameter portion of the housing and can be expanded outwardly by theupper tapered head shoulder 34 and will ride past the head 33, thespring reexpanding and shifting the latch sleeve 26 downwardly in thehousing to place the linger surfaces 53 into engagement with the holdingsurface i8 and the fingers in their retracted position below the controlhead 33.

The tubular string C and housing ,2d can now be moved upwardly, thelatch sleeve 26 moving upwardly therewith until the upper, inner taperedsurfaces S2 of the lingers engage the lower tapered shoulder 35 of thecontrol head (FlG. 2). However, such control head surface cannot cam thelingers outwardly because of the fact that the rctaining surface 48 ofthe housing engages the lingers and precludes their outward expansion.Accordingly, upward movement of the tubular string C and housing Ztlwill be transmitted through the lingers 47 to the control head 33 andthrough the body structure 27 to the control rod or bar 12, the latterbeing shifted upwardly within the bridge plug body lll to a positionthat will prevent setting of the plug D in the well casing, the entirebridge plug being elevated in the well casing to another settinglocation, or, if desired, for removal to the top of the well bore.During such elevating movement, the housing ports 67 may be closed, suchas illustrated in FIG. 2, but the fluid in the tubular string C canstill drain therefrom since the ball valve element 39 will movedownwardly away from the valve seat 3S, the liquid draining through thecentral inlet 37 and around the ball valve element into the central bodypassage 49, discharging through the body ports 4i to the interior of thehousing 2li, and then dropping out of the lower end of the housing intothe well casing B.

With the apparatus A in its coupled condition to the well device D, thelatter can not only be elevated in the well casing to a new location,but it can be lowered in the well casing to a dierent location, merelyby shifting the tubular string C downwardly, which will place the partsin the position illustrated in FIG. l, the control rod or bar 12 beingshifted downwardly in the bridge plug body l@ to prevent setting of thebridge plug in the well casing. lf at any time the apparatus is to bereleased from the bridge plug, it is merely necessary to move thetubular string C downwardly to a slight extent, which willcorrespondingly shift the housing 20 downwardly to insure that theholding surface 48 is disposed below the lingers 47. The liuid in thetubing-casing annulus E can then be subjected to pressure, the fluidpressure acting upwardly on the latch sleeve 25, since the ball valveelement 39 will engage its seat 33 to prevent passage of the fluidthrough the body structure 2.7 to the interior of the tubular string C,and will tend to retain the latch sleeve in its upward position withinthe housing while the apparatus is being elevated relative to thecontrol rod or bar l2 of the bridge plug device D and its body structure27. The fingers will remain above the holding surface 48 while movingpast the control head 33, the lower tapered surface 35 of the latterexpanding the lingers 47 outwardly within the housing, the lingersriding upwardly past the head to a position thereabove, whereupon theyspring inwardly. When the latch sleeve 26 moves out of sealing relationto the periphery of the valve body 64, the pressure in the tubing-casingannulus E will drop, inasmuch as the liuid can then iiow upwardlythrough the housing Ztl and through the sleeve 26 into the tubularstring C, thereby advising the operator that the apparatus A has beenreleased from the bridge plug device D.

With the apparatus described, it is evident that it is capable oflowering another device in the well bore, or of retrieving the devicefrom the well bore. It is capable of being released from the device,whenever desired, simply by the application of pressure to the liuid inthe tubing-casing annulus E. Retrieving can occur without the necessityfor rotating the tubular string C. All that need be done is to elevatethe tubular string while applying pressure to the liuid in thetubing-casing annulus, which will hold the latch sleeve 2o upwardly inthe housing to space its latch lingers 47 above the holding surface 43and allow the fingers to expand outwardly in moving past the controlhead 33. Downward movement of the apparatus A and its coupling to thelower device or tool D can occur without the necessity for rotating thetubu-V lar string, since the latch lingers will merely snap over thecontrol head 33. The coupling of the apparatus to the device, so thatthe latter can be elevated in the well casing, occurs merely as a resultof moving the tubular string C and housing Ztl upwardly withoutapplication of pressure to the tubing-casing annulus E, the holdingsurface 48 retaining the lingers 47 under the lower tapered shoulder 35of the control head. During lowering of the apparatus in the wellcasing, the liuid can readily enter the ports 67, and automatically lillthe tubular string C. Similarly, during elevation of the apparatus inthe well casing, the ball valve element 39 moves downwardly away fromits seat 38 to allow the fluid in the tubular string C to drain throughthe control rod body structure 27 into the well casing B below theapparatus A.

I claim:

l. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore andhaving a downwardly facing shoulder; a

member adapted to be connected to a running-in stringV for movement inthe well bore and to be disposed over the device; latch means carried byand movable longitudinally of said member and movable inherentlyinwardly to a position under said shoulder to be engaged therewith; saidmember having shifting means engaging said latch means when said latchmeans moves in one direction longitudinally of said member to hold saidlatch means laterally inwardly under said shoulder and in couplingrelation to the device; and liuid operated means responsive to thepressure of the fluid in the well bore externally of said member formoving said latch means in the opposite direction longitudinally of saidmember away from said shifting means to allow said latch means to beshifted by said shoulder laterally outwardly to uncoupled relation fromthe device.

2. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore andhaving a downwardly facing shoulder; a member adapted to be connected toa running-in string for movement in the well bore and to be disposedover the device; a latch sleeve slidable longitudinally in said memberand having laterally movable latch elements movable inherently inwardlyto a position under said shoulder to be engaged therewith; said memberhaving a surface thereon for engaging and holding said elementslaterally inwardly under said shoulder in coupling relation to thedevice upon longitudinal movement of said latch sleeve in one directionin said member; said sleeve having fluid pressure operated meansresponsive to the pressure of the iluid in the well bore externally ofsaid member for moving said sleeve in the opposite longitudinaldirection in said member away from said surface to prevent engagement ofsaid elements by said surface and permit said elements to be shifted bysaid shoulder laterally outwardly to uncoupled relation with respect tothe device.

3. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: a memberadapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string for movement inthe well bore and to be disposed over the device; a latch sleeveslidable longitudinally in said member and having laterally movablelatch elementsy adapted to be coupled to the device; said member havingmeans thereon for shifting said elements laterally inwardly toward aposition to be coupled to the device upon longitudinalfmovement of saidsleeve in one direction in said member; means for moving said sleeve inthe opposite longitudinal direction in said member to allow saidelements to shift laterally outwardly of the device to a positionuncoupled from the device; said sleeve being engageable with the deviceto shift the device downwardly in the well bore in response to downwardmovement of the tubular running-in string; said sleeve and member havingcommunicating fluid passage means allowing iluid to flow from theexterior of said member to the interior of said sleeve and into thetubular running-in string during lowering of the apparatus in the wellbore.

4. In combination: a. device adapted to be disposed in a well bore andhaving a downwardly facing shoulder; a member adapted to be connected toa running-in string for movement in the well bore and to be disposedover the device; a latch sleeve slidable longitudinally in said memberand having laterally movable latch elements movable inherently inwardlyto a position under vsaid shoulder to be engaged therewith; said memberhaving a surface thereon for engaging and holding said elementslaterally inwardlywunder said shoulder in a position to be coupled tothe device upon downward movement of said latch sleeve in said member;said sleeve having iiuid pressure operated means responsive to thepressure of the iiuid in the well bore externally of said member formoving said sleeve upwardly in said member away from said surface toprevent engagement of said elements by said surface and permit saidelements to be shifted by said shoulder laterally outwardly to aposition uncoupled from the device.

5. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: a memberadapted to be connected to a tubular runningin string for movement inthe well bore and tol be disposed over the device; a latch sleeveslidable longitudinally in said member and having laterally movablelatch elements adapted to be coupledrto the device; said mem-Vberihavin'g a surface thereon for engaging and shifting said elementslaterally inwardly toward a position Yto be coupled to the device upondownward movement of said latch sleeve in said member; said sleevehaving fluid pressure operated means responsive to the pressure of theiiuid in the well bore externallyof said member for moving said sleeveupwardly in said member to prevent engagernent of said elements by saidsurface and permit through which fluid can iiow from the exterior ofsaid member to the interior of said sleeve and into vthe tubular stringduring lowering of the apparatus in the well bore.,

6. ln apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: a memberadapted to be connected to a running-in string for movement in thewell'bore and to be disposed over the device; a latch sleeve slidablelongitudinally in said member and having'laterally movable latchelements adapted to be coupled to the device; said member having asurface thereon for engaging and shifting said elements laterallyinwardly toward a position to be coupled to the device upon downwardmovement of said latch sleeve in said member; spring means engaging saidsleeve .for shifting said sleeve downwardly in said member; said sleevehaving luid pressure operated means responsive to the pressure of theuid in the well bore externally of said member for moving said sleeveupwardly in said member against the force of saidl spring means, toprevent engagement of said elements by said surface and permitlongitudinal outward shifting of said elements to a position uncoupledfrom the device; said sleeve having means thereon engageable with thedevice to move the device downwardly in the well bore upon downwardmovement of the running-in string and the member in the well bore.

7. ln combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore;amember adapted to be connected to a running-in string to be lowered inthe well bore and to be disposed over the device to provide an annularcylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carriedby said member and slidable longitudinally along said member and device,said sleeve havinglaterally movable elements adapted .to be coupled tosaid device; said member having a surface thereon for engaging andVshifting saidelements laterally inwardly to coupled relation to saiddevice upon longitudinal movement of said sleeve in one direction insaid member; said sleeve Yhaving liuid pressure operated meansresponsive to fluid pressure in said annular cylinder space for moving`said'sleeve longitudinally in the opposite direction -in said member toprevent engagement of said elements by said surface and to permitlateral outward shifting of-said elements to a position Iuncoupled fromsaid device.

8. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore; amember adapted to be connected to a running-in string to be lowered inthe well bore and to be disposed over the device to provide an annularcylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carriedby said member and slidableA longitudinally along said member anddevice, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to becoupled to said device; said member having a surface thereon forengaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupledrelation to sai-d device upon longitudinal movement of said sleeve inone direction in said member; said sleeve having liuid pressure operatedmeans responsive to the-pressure of the iiuid in the well'boreexternally of said member and in said annular cylinder space for movingsaid sleeve in the opposite longitudinal direction in said member toprevent engagement of said` elements by said surf-ace and permit lateraloutward shifting of said elements to a position uncoupled from saiddevice;

9.l in combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore; amember adapted to be connected to a running-in string to be lowered inthe well bore and to be disposed over the device to provide an annularcylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carriedby said member and slidable longitudinally along said member and device,said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to be coupled tosaid'device; said member having a surface thereon for engagingpandshifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupled relation tosaid'device upon downward movement of said sleeve in said member; saidsleeve having iiuid pressure operated means responsive tothe pressure ofthe iiuid in the well bore externally ofgsaid member and insaid annularVcylindery space for moving said sleeve lupwardly in said member toprevent engagement of said elements by said surface and permit lateraloutward shifting of said elements to a position uncoupled from saiddevice.

1t). ln combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore; amember adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string to belowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device to providean annular cylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinderspace carried by said member and slidable longitudinally along saidmember and device, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adaptedto be coupled to said device; said member having a surface thereon forengaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupledrelation to said device upon longitudinal movement of said sleeve in onedirection in said member; said sleeve having Huid pressure operatedmeans responsive to the pressure of the fluid in well bore externally ofsaid member for moving said sleeve in the opposite longitudinaldirection in said member to prevent engagement of said elements by saidsurface and permit lateral outward shifting of said elements to aposition uncoupled from said device; said sleeve being engageable withthe device and occupying an upper position in said 4member to shift thedevice downwardly in the well bore in response to downward movement ofthe tubular running-in string; said sleeve and member .havingcommunicating ports when said sleeve is in said upper position throughwhich fluid can flow from the exterior of said member-to the interior ofsaid sleeve and into the tubular string during lowering of the apparatusin the well bore.

11. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore andhaving a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to -beconnected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well boreand to be disposed over said upper portion of said device; latch meanscarried by and movable longitudinally of said member and adapted to becoupled to said upper portion of said device; said member havingshifting means engaging said latch means when said latch means moves inone direction longitudinally of said member to shift said latch meanslaterally inwardly toward coupled relation to said device; means formoving said latch means longitudinally of said member in the oppositedirection to allow said latch means to shift laterally outwardly fromcoupled relation to said device; and valve means in said upper portionof said device controlling the ow of fluid through said passage.

l2. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore andhaving a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to beconnected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well boreand to be disposed over said uppper portion of said device; latch meanscarried by and movable longitudinally of said member and adapted to becoupled to said upper portion of said device; said member havingshifting means engaging said latch means when said latch means moves inone direction longitudinally of said member to shift said latch meanslaterally inwardly toward coupled relation to said device; fluidpressure means responsive to the pressure of the iiuid in the well boreexternally of said member for moving said latch means longitudinally ofsaid member in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shiftlaterally outwardly from coupled relation to said device; and valvemeans in said upper portion of said body shifted to closed position bysaid external fluid pressure and adapted to open to allow fluid to passdownwardly from the tubular string through said'passage.

i3. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore andhaving a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to beconnected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well boreand to be disposed over the device to provide an annular cylinder spacetherewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carried by said memberand slidable longitudinally along said member and upper portion of saiddevice, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to becoupled to said upper portion of said device; said member having asurface thereon for engaging and shifting said elements laterallyinwardly to coupled relation to said device upon longitudinal movementof said sleeve in one direction in said member; said sleeve having'fluidpressure operated means responsive to the pressure of the fluid in thewell bore externally of said member for moving said sleeve intheopposite longitudinal direction in said cylinder space and along saiddevice and member to prevent engagement of said elements by said surfaceand to permit lateral outward shifting of said elements to a positionuncoupled from the upper portion of said device; and valve means in saidupper portion of said device shifted to closed position by said externaluid pressure and adapted to open to allow uid to pass downwardly fromthe tubular string through said passage.

14. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore andhaving a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to beconnected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well boreand to be disposed over the device to provide an annular cylinder spacetherewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carried by said memberand slidable longitudinally along said member and upper portion of saiddevice, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to becoupled to said upper portion of said device; said member having asurface thereon for engaging and shifting said elements laterallyinwardly to coupled relation to said device upon longitudinal movementof said sleeve in one direction in said member; said sleeve having tluidpressure operated means responsive to the pressure of the iluid in thewell bore externally of said member for moving said sleeve in theopposite longitudinal direction in said cylinder space and along saiddevice and member to prevent engagement of said elements by said surfaceand to permit lateral outward shifting of said elements to a positionuncoupled from the upper portion of said device; valve means in saidupper portion of said device shifted to closed position by said externalfluid pressure and adapted to open to allow uid to pass downwardly fromthe tubular string through said passage; said sleeve being engageablewith said upper portion of said device and occupying an upper positionin said member to shift said device downwardly in the well bore inresponse to downward movement of the tubular running-in string; saidsleeve and member having communicating ports when said sleeve is in saidupper position through which fluid can flow from the exterior of saidmember to the interior of said sleeve and into the tubular string duringlowering of the apparatus in the well bore.

15. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore andhaving a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to beconnected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well boreand to be disposed over said upper portion of said device to provide anannular cylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder spacecarried by said member and slidable longitudinally along said member anddevice, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to becoupled to said device; said member having a surface thereon forengaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupledrelation to said device upon downward movement of said sleeve in saidmember; said sleeve having iiuid pressure operated means responsive tothe pressure of the uid in the well bore externally of said member formoving said sleeve upwardly in said member to prevent engagement of saidelements by said surface and permit lateral outward shifting of saidelements to a position uncoupled from the upper portion of said device;valve means in said upper portion of said device shiftable upwardly toclosed position by said external iiuid pressure and shiftable downwardlyto open position to allow iluid to pass downwardly from the tubular iistring through said passage; said sleeve being engageable with saiddevice and occupying anupper position in said member to shift saiddevice downwardly in the well bore in response to downward movement ofthe tubular running-in string; said sleeve and member havingcommunicating ports when said sleeve is in saidr upper position throughywhich fluid can ow from the exterior of said member to the interior ofsaid sleeve and into the tubular string during lowering of the apparatusin the well bore.

i6. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore andhaving a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to beconnected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well boreand to be disposed over said upper portion of said device to provide anannular cylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder spacecarried by said member and slid-t able longitudinally along said memberand device, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to becoupled to said device; said member having a surface `thereon forengaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupledrelation to said device upon downward movement of said sleeve in saidmember; spring means engaging said sleeve for shifting said sleevedown-` il Z said sleeve upwardly in said member against the force ofsaid spring means to prevent engagement of said elements by said surfaceand permit lateral outward shitting of said elements to a positionuncoupled vfrom the upper portion of said device; valve means in saidupper portion oflsaid device shiftable upwardly to closed position bysaid external uid'pressure ari-d shiftable downwardly to open positionto allow fluid to pass downwardly from the tubular string through saidpassage; said sleeve being engageable with said device and occupying anupper position in said member to shift said device downwardly in thewell bore in response to downward movement of the tubular running-instring; said sleeve and member having communicating ports when saidsleeve is in said upper position through which fluid can flow from theexterior ofsaid member to the interior of said sleeve and into thetubular string'during lowering of the apparatus in the well bore.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/31 Vance294-86Ll5 9/57 Conrad l66--125

1. IN COMBINATION: A DEVICE ADAPTED TGO BE DISPOSED IN A WELL BORE ANDHAVING A DOWNWARDLY FACING SHOULDER; A MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TOA RUNNING-IN STRING FOR MOVEMENT IN THE WELL BORE AND TO BE DISPOSEDOVER THE DEVICE; LATCH MEANS CARRIED BY AND MOVABLE LONGITUDINALLY OFSAID MEMBER AND MOVABLE INHERENTLY INWARDLY TO A POSITION UNDER SAIDSHOULDER TO BE ENGAGED THEREWITH; SAID MEMBER HAVING SHIFTING MEANSENGAGING SAID LATCH MEANS WHEN SAID LATCH MEANS MOVES IN ONE DIRECTIONLONGITUDINALLY OF SAID MEMBER TO HOLD SAID LATCH MEANS LATERALLYINWARDLY UNDER SAID SHOULDER AND IN COUPLING RELATION TO THE DEVICE; ANDFLUID OPERATED MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE PRESSURE OF THE FLUID IN THE WELLBORE EXTERNALLY OF SAID MEMBER FOR MOVING SAID LATCH MEANS IN THEOPPOSITE DIRECTION LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID MEMBER AWAY FROM SAID SHIFTINGMEANS TO ALLOW SAID LATCH MEANS TO BE SHIFTED BY SAID SHOULDER LATERALLYOUTWARDLY TO UNCOUPLED RELATION FROM THE DEVICE.